Indoor Gardening Pot Raid

April 20 long has been used by marijuana enthusiasts to celebrate the illegal drug and more recently by law enforcement for raids and crackdowns. But the Hartes' attorney, Cheryl Pilate, said she suspects the couple's 1,825-square-foot split level was targeted because they had bought hydroponic equipment to grow a small number of tomatoes and squash plants in their basement.
"With little or no other evidence of any illegal activity, law enforcement officers make the assumption that shoppers at the store are potential marijuana growers, even though the stores are most commonly frequented by backyard gardeners who grow organically or start seedlings indoors," the couple's lawsuit says.
The couple filed the suit this week under the Kansas Open Records Act after Johnson County and Leawood denied their initial records requests, with Leawood saying it had no relevant records. The Hartes say the public has an interest in knowing whether the sheriff's department's participation in the raids was "based on a well-founded belief of marijuana use and cultivation at the targeted addresses, or whether the raids primarily served a publicity purpose."
"If this can happen to us and we are educated and have reasonable resources, how does somebody who maybe hasn't led a perfect life supposed to be free in this country?" Adlynn Harte said in an interview Friday.

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Where have you been shopping for hydroponic equipment? They may be keeping records at the store with your info, that can be used in the same manner as was used to raid this couple of gardeners.

"Freedom isn't free" --Colonel Walter Hitchcock
“The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.” General 'Mad Dog' James Mattis
non semper erit aestas- It will not always be summer (be prepared for hard times)!!

Probably a settlement in the making for that based on the "emotional distress" at least....
Curious how many other wrongful searches were performed and how the stores contributed to the release of information? Where they served with a warrant or did they volunteer the information.

"Freedom isn't free" --Colonel Walter Hitchcock
“The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.” General 'Mad Dog' James Mattis
non semper erit aestas- It will not always be summer (be prepared for hard times)!!

Probably a settlement in the making for that based on the "emotional distress" at least....
Curious how many other wrongful searches were performed and how the stores contributed to the release of information? Where they served with a warrant or did they volunteer the information.

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Let's see, with .goob wanting everyone to rat out lawbreakers with their tips for money programs, I'll bet the store was going for some $ when they gave up the information.

"There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws." - Ayn Rand

My Mileage Does Vary - MM

How can you be tried by your peers when 90% of the people are not your peers. - MM

Let's see, with .goob wanting everyone to rat out lawbreakers with their tips for money programs, I'll bet the store was going for some $ when they gave up the information.

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Exactly right I think- cash is king and your details are not provided....

"Freedom isn't free" --Colonel Walter Hitchcock
“The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.” General 'Mad Dog' James Mattis
non semper erit aestas- It will not always be summer (be prepared for hard times)!!

If it were "Me" I would be asking the Federal Magistrate, that issued the Warrant, for the Submissions that made Probable Cause, apparent for the Warrant, in the first place... If the submitting Agent made ANY Embellishments on those submissions, He will NEVER Get another Warrant from that Magistrate. They do NOT like to be duped, by embellished submissions, NOT at ALL.... That usually gets an Agent, Presonna Non Grata in that Federal District for LIFE...

Bruce in alaska (BTPost) An Atheist will never be able to say, "I TOLD YOU SO"!! ....

If it were "Me" I would be asking the Federal Magistrate, that issued the Warrant, for the Submissions that made Probable Cause, apparent for the Warrant, in the first place... If the submitting Agent made ANY Embellishments on those submissions, He will NEVER Get another Warrant from that Magistrate. They do NOT like to be duped, by embellished submissions, NOT at ALL.... That usually gets an Agent, Presonna Non Grata in that Federal District for LIFE...

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BT hit the nail on the head!!! I have seen the result of an LEO making false statements to get a warrant signed by a judge, 1st hand. The deputy was assigned to burglary working as a detective, when his misdeeds were found out, he was re-assigned to the jail and remained there for 7 more years until his retirement. Of course YMMV,,,,,depending on your department and your standing in the same.

Yep, and Federal Magistrates, have to REPORT to the Federal District Judge, and they do NOT liked to get burned, as it reflects on their BOSS, when He gets Appealed to the Federal Appellate Court. Ones standing, in Federal Judge circles, is DIRECTLY related to ones Appeal Overturn Rate, by the Next Higher Court. ...... YMMV....

Bruce in alaska (BTPost) An Atheist will never be able to say, "I TOLD YOU SO"!! ....